Rail device.



L. HURSHMAN.

RAIL DEVI-GE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1910.

995,965 r Patented June 13,1911.

LE2 Hurshman, Qmwwme/a UNITED STATES EATENT OFFICE.

LEE HURSHMAN, or ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA, AssIGNoR T0 LIZZIE HURSHMAN, or ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA.

RAIL DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern;-

Be it known that I, LEE HITRSHIIAX. citizen of the United States. residin at Elkins, in the county of Randolph and State of Vest- Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the acco1npanying drawing.

-This invention relates to rail braces for onnecting opposite rail sections so that preading of said sections is prevented, and

the principal object of the same is to provide a brace of the type specified that may be used on straight or curvedrails and in which each rail section is engaged at two points bya brace bar, thebrace bars being oppositely disposed and having an ad ustable connection so that the tension on the rail sectionsv may be regulated.

In carrying out the objects of the invention geherally stated above it will be understood, of course, that the essential features thereof are necessarily susceptible changes in details and structural arrangements. one preferred and practical embodiment of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein.:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a straight portion'of a track showing the opposite rails connected by the improved brace. Fig. '2 is a similar view showing the brace applied to a curved portion of a track. Fig. vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-.-3, Fig. 1. Fig. "i: is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the manner of adjustably connecting the brace bars.

Referring to said drawing by numerals 1-2 designates the opposite rails forming the track, said rails being fastened to the ties 3 in the usual manner.

The improved brace comprises a pair of bars 4 -5 that are preferably formed of flat metal shaped to the arcfof a circle. the ends thereof being upturned and bent upon themselves to provide flange-engaging hooks 6. At their center, the bars are each provided with an outwardly projecting threaded bolt, said bolts being designated by the numerals 7, 8 respectively, and said bolts are adapted 3isa,

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented "June 13. 1911. Application filed March 16, 1910. I

Serial No. 5491797.

portion ll of turnbuckle 1O that-is adjacent key 12 is recessed to provide a seat 15 for the projecting portion of said key,'so that said key will prevent rotation ofsaid turnbuckle relative to bolt 7. g

In use. the bars are arranged s shown in lugs. 1 and 2 ot the accompanying draw ings. the bars -l5 having their ends passed beneath the base of opposite rails and hooked over the outer edges thereof. Said braces span two of the ties 3, and their end portions are bolted or otherwise rigidly tee-- cured thereto. The bolts (-8 are then con.- nected by the turnbuckle 10, and said buckle adjusted on bolt? until recess 15 alines with opening 11 of bolt 7, whereupon the locking key 12 is passed-through said recess and opening to locksaid turnbuckle against rotation. i

It will be seen from the fore oing that as the brace bars engage the rails at spaced apart points, the danger of said rails being buckled when the braces areadjusted is obviated. It will also be seen that the improved brace may be readily placed in position to prevent the rails spreading and se curely locked in such position. yet the same may beeasily released when desired.

What I claim as my invention is A rail brace comprising a pair of bars curved on the arc ofq'a circle and each provided with rail-engagingends, a bolt pro-, jecting from the center of each bar, a turn- 

